ONE MORE, JUST LIKE BEFORE. Perhaps owing to the fact that many fleet managers report being in a "holding pattern" the past year, FLD's Q1 Fleet Manager Sentiment Index saw little change from what our collection of top fleet managers thought in our Q4 Index. With 4 of our 7 Q1 topics scoring less than 20% different from their Q4 tallies, it's safe to say that top fleet managers aren't sure what to think these days. And with the tariffs, out of control costs - and now a war in the Mideast - it's likely the only thing fleet pros know is that they don't know anything - something we are hearing often from our CAB and other top fleet managers. Of the three remaining categories that we follow, two showed a deviation of less than half a percent from Q4 2025 to Q1 2026, with only one topic - the US Economy - moving a full half a percent (up) due largely in part to a reduction in interest rates - and milder than expected inflation - towards the end of 2025.
*Chart is rated on a scale of 1-5 with 5 being most confident. Mouse over any topic to see its specific chart.*
Halfway through the year and our newest quarterly Fleet Manager Sentiment Index is showing that top fleet leaders are feeling no more confident about the state of the industry than they were at the beginning of the year. Taken in the waning days of Q2, our latest Index – as well as conversations with our Customer Advisory Board – has most fleet managers living in a perpetual state of uncertainty, with strained global affairs, rising costs and the pressure to do more with less consuming many. Hardly the kind of environment that instills confidence, but we’ve noticed an admirable resiliency that sees our customers thriving in the face of an industry that’s changing faster than at any time in its history. Safety remains a top concern, with fleets under pressure to do all they can to curb liability and risks. One change we note from last quarter is a drop in confidence driven by rising service and maintenance costs as well as an increase the time it takes to repair vehicles, downtime that is costing them money and straining their operation *Chart is rated on a scale of 1-5 with 5 being most confident. Mouse over any quarter to see its specific chart.
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TeamFLD was out in force at this year’s National Private Truck Council conference in Orlando May 11-13 and our man FLD Frank was on hand to get all the scoop!
The Q2 2025 White Metal Market Report highlights ongoing uncertainty in the wholesale medium-duty vehicle market, driven primarily by tariffs, high interest rates, and shifting fleet strategies. Once predictable, the fleet industry has faced volatility since the pandemic, with managers now adopting a “wait and see” approach toward tariffs rather than making premature plans. While […]
This year’s Work Truck Week was the biggest event of the year and our Rich Mallek was there to give his thoughts in a Fleet Management Weekly interview live from the show floor.
Work Truck Week 2025 saw record attendance and exhibitors, affirming its status as the premier fleet industry event. Tariffs and regulatory uncertainty were major discussion points, while relationship-building took precedence over new tech. Electric vehicle (EV) momentum slowed amid infrastructure concerns, with alternative fuels like hydrogen and propane gaining interest. Major OEMs showcased electric offerings, […]
In 2024, the wholesale used vehicle market returned to more “familiar” patterns after years of volatility. Values declined about 15% across most classes, with smaller vehicles holding value better than larger ones. High-mileage, lower-quality units were abundant, while newer, low-mileage vehicles remained scarce—a trend expected to persist in 2025. Economic uncertainty, interest rates, and a […]
The 2024 White Metal Market Report (Q3) highlights a stable yet uncertain used vehicle market. While consumer spending remains strong despite inflation and high interest rates, economic uncertainty lingers, and any major disruption could push the market downward. Housing prices are rising, unemployment is slightly up, and a strong U.S. dollar is limiting international demand. […]
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